Booking a stay at the new Raffles Europejski Warsaw wasn’t the greatest experience. I booked a room using AccorHotels’ own website, gave my credit card details and received a confirmation email with a valid booking code. I used some of my Le Club points which were deducted from my account.

A month later, I received email from the hotel demanding me to provide credit card details within a few days if I want to keep my booking. Since the problem was clearly on their side I would have appreciated a little bit different approach.

I had booked a junior suite. According to hotel’s website, oneway airport transportation was included to that category. This information wasn’t published on Accor’s website, though, and the service wasn’t offered by the hotel either before I requested it.

Despite the issues with booking and prearrival communication, the stay was awesome.

Hotel facade.

History lesson.

Check In

A driver was waiting for us at the airport. He guided us to a black Mercedes-Benz S class car that took us smoothly to the hotel in 20 minutes. There was bottles of mineral water and local and international newspaper in the car to make the journey more comfortable.

Check-in was the fastest and easiest I have ever experienced in any hotel. Everything was prepared, we were expected. There was no need to show passport or credit card. I only needed to sign one paper that listed details of the stay and my contact informations.

Delicious marshmallows were brought to us while a front desk officer explained our benefits. Those goodies could also be bought in hotel’s superb conditory for souvenir.

Since I had booked a junior suite we didn’t expect any upgrade. To our surprise we were informed that the hotel has upgraded us to the next room category which was grand suite. We were confirmed, after asking, that in the Raffles Europejeski Warsaw they always upgrade, also when one of the suites is booked, if only there are better rooms or suites available.

Main entrance.

Lobby.

Front desk.

Welcome treats at the front desk.

Lobby on the way to rooms.

Elevator lobby on the first floor.

Corridor.

Grand suite

A butler was sent to show us the suite which was amazing. 85 square meters, high ceiling.

A living room with two large sofas, dining table, working desk, coffee machine, kettle, mineral water and bookcase with books that were actually interesting. A huge bathroom with tub, walk-in shower, two sinks and high-quality amenities. A bedroom with a comfortable kind-size bed, armchair and coffee table. A walk-in closet with eight wardrobes.

The suite had also an enormous balcony. It must be nice in summer. Now the snowy balcony became handy when drinks needed to be chilled.

Living room from the door.

Living room.

Living room and corridor.

Living room.

Living room.

Living room and writing desk.

Walk-in closet.

Make-up desk.

Bathroom with bathtub.

Bathroom and one of the two sinks.

Walk-in shower.

Bath amenities.

Bedroom with king-size bed.

Bedroom.

Balcony with Warsaw skyline.

Snowy balcony became handy.

Service

The service was excellent. The staff couldn’t have been more kind and helpfull. They, including two different managers, made sure that we were satisfied with everything. Once a cleaner forgot to replenish toiletries and once newspaper wasn’t delivered but that’s all.

Dining

Breakfast was included to our rate. There was a small but high-quality buffet and a small à la carte menu. However, we were only allowed to order one warm and one side dish. Once the breakfast is prepaid one would expect to be able to order anything without ridiculous limitations.

The breakfast was served in Europejski Grill where we also had dinner once. It was a decent experience but nothing to write home about. Sturgeon was too salty and dry-aged rib eye wasn’t perfect which was compensated by a complimentary refill of red wine.

In turn, hamburger, prawn salad and lumpia rolls at the Long Bar were all delicious as were the different Sling cocktails, especially the Warsaw Sling. Where the Europejski Grill was almost always empty the Long Bar was often full.

Entrance to Europejski Grill.

Europejski Grill in the evening.

Europejski Grill in the morning.

Breakfast buffet.

Breakfast buffet.

Food from the buffet.

Eggs royale.

Europejski breakfast platter.

Buttermilk pancakes.

Long bar.

Singapore Sling.

Warsaw Sling.

Hot smoked sturgeon with caviar.

Dry-aged rib eye steak.

Burned butter ice cream.

Location

The hotel is located by the Pilsudski Square, almost next to Sofitel. It’s about 10 minutes walk to old town and 20 minutes to railway station, CBD and Polin museum. Lots of restaurant around. So, very good.

Spa

The hotel has been open for about half a year now but the stylish spa is still partly under construction. Saunas – dry and steam – can be used but not a swimming pool. I asked when the pool is expected to open but the staff wasn’t able to give any proper answer: one said March, another one by the end of this year. I understood there is some issues with administrative authorization.

The front desk officer was kind enough to arrange us access to the Sofitel swimming pool which is propably the best hotel pool in the whole Europe.

We didn’t use the gym but it looked big.

Loyalty treatment

For once the platinum amenity was already in the room when we arrived so there was no need to remind the staff about it. And it was very decent compared to many other luxury hotels: poppy seed and chocolate cakes, hand-made pralines, strawberry compote, and fresh fruits togerther with a hand-written welcome card from a general manager.

Welcome drink voucher was for two and we were able to use it for Singapore Slings.

Late check-out was given until 5:30pm.

Overall

At check-out, the hotel offered to take us back to the airport with Mercedes-Benz S class with a special price of PLN 150 (EUR 35–40).

The Raffles Europejski Warsaw is undoubtedly one of the best hotels we have stayed at. Highly recommend for luxurious getaways. We will be back. 9/10.

I returned to Raffles Europejski Warsaw and once again had a very good stay yet not as good as last time. This time I booked grand suite and was upgraded to a lovely signature suite. Suite stays includes return airport transportation by a brand new BMW M7.

Check In

After a short and comfortable ride from the airport, a bellboy took my luggage and escorted to front desk. Check-in was quick. Despite this being my second time here I had to show my identification. That wasn't necessary during my first stay.

Signature suite 129

The hotel has a total of six signature suites which all are located in corners. I was shown some of the other suites, too, and liked most my suite 129, the Pilsudski apartment, in terms of layout and design, although it isn’t the biggest one.

The bedroom is similar in every room and some of the rooms has a bathroom with natural light.

Unfortunately, the hotel has downgraded some of the amenities and benefits which is a sign of cost cutting. For example, dental kits are no longer stocked in the rooms and one need to request them. Moreover, toothbrushes are lower quality than before. They used to provide high quality toothbrushes, not the typical cheap hotel versions. Same story with razor.

Soft drinks from the minibar are included in the suites and drinks are supposed to be restocked daily. However, I had to ask it twice.

Suite tour

Here are a few photos of different rooms, mainly suites, for comparing.

Another, slightly larger signature suite.

Raffles suite living room.

Raffles suite is the biggest suite of the hotel. It comes with living room, meeting room, office, bar, kitchenette, and two bedrooms.

Junior suite living room. Similar than in grand suite but a little smaller.

For those who are looking for more affordable rooms, some of the deluxe rooms and one junior suite has patios in the inner courtyard.

Platinum benefits

I was able to check in as early as at 10am. Didn't need late check-out so can't comment on that. In addition to the rroom upgrade, I received a nice welcome amenity and a drink voucher.

The hotel has a new policy for welcome drinks: one can only choose prosecco, house wine, beer or non-alcoholic drink. Earlier the hotel offered wider range of beverages, cocktails included. At least Singapore sling should be served.

The stinginess is odd for a top luxury hotel but the service is top notch: after I gave feedback on the welcome drinks I was offered another drink and told that both Singapore sling and Warsaw sling will be added back to welcome drink list from now on.

Other sling cocktails aren't available any longer. The explanation was that they can’t store all ingredients since the slings aren't so popular.

Nice welcome amenity.

Singapore slings in the Long bar.

The hotel used to offer all sling cocktails but not anymore. Now it's either the original Singapore sling or local Warsaw sling.

Pool

Swimming pool is still under construction but it should be opening in a few weeks. A front desk manager was kind enough to arrange free use of Sofitel spa.

Service

The service is great: accommodating, flexible, warm and personalized. You get the feeling you are part of a big family. When departing, a duty manager came to say goodbye and shake hands. Many times different staff members thanked me for returning, asked how is the stay so far and hoped I keep on coming back – despite the fact I might be a challenging customer sometimes. :)